Three talking points ahead of Newcastle United vs Barcelona

After a thumping 6-0 win of their first residence sport of the season in opposition to Valencia, Barcelona return to motion tomorrow night, this time within the UEFA Champions League.

Hansi Flick’s males are kicking off their marketing campaign within the European occasion away from residence, owing to delays within the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou with all required permissions.

And the journey to Newcastle, the place they’ll play at St. James’ Park, can be an enormous problem for Hansi Flick & co.

Up to now this season, the English facet has gained solely considered one of their 4 Premier League video games, with two attracts and a defeat within the different three outings. Their type of soccer, nevertheless, is a significant risk to Barcelona’s dynamics and construction.

Barça Common brings you three speaking factors forward of Newcastle United vs Barcelona.

Again to sq. one, as soon as once more

Barcelona’s type throughout all competitions final season led many to consider that the UEFA Champions League was theirs to lose. They had been the favourites to advance to the ultimate in opposition to Inter Milan and the whole lot appeared set for that to be the case.

Ultimately, nevertheless, the group’s inexperience price them, and some mismanaged minutes noticed them throw away a win and convert it into an elimination, breaking not solely the hearts of gamers but in addition followers.

The dream of lifting the UCL trophy, thus, didn’t come true final season, and the main target instantly shifted to the following version – the one which begins tomorrow for the Catalans at St. James’ Park.

Each season, Barcelona and the group trustworthy consider that that is the yr they’ll conquer Europe once more, and tomorrow the Blaugrana will once more return to motion within the competitors with precisely that dream in thoughts.

The highway forward is lengthy, particularly if the membership needs to go all the best way. Nevertheless, they’ll look to get off on the fitting foot tomorrow as they embark on their journey to the last word dream as soon as extra.

Choice dilemmas

Barcelona’s efficiency in opposition to Valencia gave followers and the supervisor purpose to cheer after three straight unconvincing performances from the Catalans. Concurrently, nevertheless, it now palms Hansi Flick new dilemmas forward of his number of Thursday’s XI.

On the evening, the likes of Lamine Yamal, Alejandro Balde, and Frenkie de Jong had been all unavailable by damage, and Roony Bardghji, Gerard Martin, and Marc Casado took their locations within the lineup respectively.

The previous two should not again within the dynamics for tomorrow’s sport as nicely, whereas the latter is, and choice questions linger across the supervisor as he prepares his finest XI for the problem in England.

For starters, the supervisor should resolve if De Jong deserves his place within the XI again instantly, particularly given how Casado did exceedingly nicely within the earlier sport and fashioned a strong partnership with Pedri.

The midfield determination, evidently, might be determined extra on a tactical foundation than merely a query of advantage.

The second choice query that lingers across the coach is within the ahead line. Bardghji, in any case, could not advantage a begin within the UCL after only one gam,e and Raphinha could begin on the fitting wing with Marcus Rashford taking part in on the left.

The centre-forward place, furthermore, is one which leaves Flick in a severe dilemma, for he should select between Ferran Torres’ effectiveness and Robert Lewandowski’s expertise after the latter made a powerful case by scoring a brace in his cameo in opposition to Valencia.

Want for a defensive shake-up?

Whereas the choice questions in midfield and the ahead line are primarily from a rotation and competitors entrance, the supervisor concurrently has huge selections to make in defence – albeit from a tactical standpoint.

Newcastle United boasts of a potent assault, particularly within the air. Their aerial risk is a well-documented power, however Barcelona’s aerial defence is understood to be a weak hyperlink lately and there’s no doubt that the hosts will look to trigger harm in that route.

Flick’s determination for the sport at St. James’ Park, thus, revolves across the centre-back mixture that may present the perfect aerial cowl whereas minimally interfering with the group’s buildup and offside technique.

Pau Cubarsi and Eric Garcia did nicely in opposition to Valencia, however the identical mixture is unlikely to start out tomorrow, for they are going to be overwhelmed by the aerial assaults and should not outfitted to guard in opposition to that hazard.

All indicators thus level to considered one of, or each of Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo, beginning for Barcelona tomorrow evening.

Whether or not the supervisor switches each centre-backs for the Araujo-Christensen mixture or retains Cubarsi and pairs him with one of many two gamers stays to be seen. In case of the latter, his determination of which participant ought to begin may even be key.

Loads, thus, rides on Flick’s defensive choice, and it is going to be fascinating to see how the supervisor plans to counter the identified and documented risk.